Method to automatically highlight special program in the electronic program guide (epg) when user&#39;s physical condition is not healthy

ABSTRACT

A system, method and computer readable media automatically highlights an unhealthy condition of a viewer. A device, e.g., set-top box, operatively connects to a network and a display. The set-top-box is adapted to output a program to a viewer watching the display. The set-top-box operatively com1ects through a wireless protocol to one or more wearable health monitoring devices that monitor one or more health readings associated with the viewer. The set-top-box outputs an alert to the viewer during the program if a health reading falls within a dangerous range. Advantageously, the alert is delivered through an EPG and may comprise pausing/stopping the program, and/or highlighting the alert on the display for the viewer&#39;s safety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to methods and systems for monitoring andalerting a program viewer of changes in physiological data through aset-top-box (STB); and more particularly, for monitoring vitalstatistics of a program viewer wearing a health monitoring device andautomatically alerting the viewer of a change in physical conditionthrough an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) output by the STB.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Horror, fantasy, suspense, supernatural fiction and thriller genresmovies/programs generally seek to elicit a physiological reaction, suchas an elevated heartbeat, through the use of fear and shock. However,often people do not realize that watching these types of movies/programscan put them at risk of aggravating preexisting health conditions,particularly cardiovascular problems. Currently no solution exists tointelligently highlight or warn susceptible users of viewing risks thatparticularly involve movies/programs so that the viewer can immediatelystop the program and/or seek help.

Various systems implement a computer to monitor health information of auser. These types of systems have limited capabilities because theycannot operate when the computer is off, on standby, or the user is notin the vicinity. To overcome these disadvantageous, systems have beenproposed that provide healthcare monitoring through wearable devices,wireless sensors, home monitoring systems, and even set-top-boxes.Though these systems measure a user's healthy condition, they generallydo not manage an STB to adjust the EPG and alert a viewer of mediacontent of dangerous health condition changes.

Despite the efforts of prior art workers, there remains a need in theart for a system that operates through an STB that monitors the healthof a viewer of movie/program content and alerts the viewer, and/orcaregivers, when the viewer's physiological measurements fall within anunhealthy parameter. Furthermore, there remains a need in the art for asystem that empowers an STB to intelligently monitor and alert a viewerthrough an EPG when he/she is not in healthy physical condition whilewatching media content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages willbecome apparent when reference is had to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention and theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a system for STBhealthcare monitoring and automatically alerting a viewer of a change inphysical condition through an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) output bythe STB;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of the subjectmethod and system;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of the subjectmethod and system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating a representative EPG opened on ascreen implementing an embodiment of the subject system and methodintegrating TV and/or movie film ratings;

FIG. 5 is an architecture diagram of elements of a STB operable with thesubject invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration operable tofacilitate the initiation of the subject method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to improve upon methods and systems for monitoring thehealth of viewers watching media content displayed on a television thatelicits a physiological reaction in order to alert the user to apotentially dangerous health condition. These types of media generallyinclude horror, suspense, fantasy, science fiction, supernatural andthriller programs that typically cause an elevated heartbeat, fear andanxiety in viewers. Users may not realize they are not in a healthyphysical condition, and thus the subject system and method is providedto monitor user's physical conditions automatically. In doing so, thesubject system and method helps users to avoid potential risks, such asbeing scared when in a non-healthy physical condition, potentiallyleading to a heart attack, for non-limited example. Advantageously,implementation of the subject system and method is carried out withoutthe need for hardware upgrade in the STB, and is naturally integrated tocurrent smart home and smart wearable devices.

The subject system and method monitors and alerts a viewer watchingthese types of programs of current changes in his/her physiological datagathered from a wearable device and transmitted to the user'sset-top-box (STB) so that an alert is highlighted through the EPG andthe viewer is notified. The STB gathers health data from the wearabledevice and/or health parameters and/or thresholds and monitors vitalstatistics of a viewer that is watching the program. Periodically duringthe program, at set time parameters, the STB may recall data from thewearable device. Alternatively, STB may continuously receive the healthdata from the wearable device throughout the length of the program. If achange in physical condition is detected, the change is compared to thethresholds either set by the STB or by the wearable device, ifapplicable. If the physical data falls within the threshold, the STBautomatically alerts the viewer through an Electronic Program Guide(EPG) output by the STB. Throughout this application the terms “user”and/or “viewer” are used, which generally herein refer to the end user,consumer or television viewer currently watching a program. As usedherein the terms “program”, “movie” and/or “media content” may be usedinterchangeably to generally refer to, without limitation, media beingviewed by a user/viewer. “Wearable health monitoring device” or “healthmonitoring device” includes devices that a user wears or carries ontheir person that monitors or tracks one or more physiological orneurological conditions, or medically useful health information.

Today many wearable devices are provided to monitor physiologicalsignals of a wearer and/or operable through one's cellular phone device.Particularly, many of these devices monitor cardiovascular related statsfor the user/wearer. For non-limiting example, these devices includethose sold under the trade name: Withings Pulse O2 which support heartbeat and SPO2 (Pulse Oxygen Saturation) found athttp://www.withings.com/cn/zh/products/pulse; and Empatica E4 whichmonitors multi physiological signals(https://www.empatica.com/e4wristband). More and more physiologicalsignals being monitored by wearable devices and their use are expectedto increase in the consumer and medical fields. Included with monitoringof changes are neurological functions and movements, such as inmonitoring and indicating the onset of seizures and/or stroke. Vastmajorities of these wearable devices support hardware and software forsending data to other devices such as, for example, via a Bluetooth,Wi-Fi and/or through cellular data capabilities.

Through communication with a smart wearable device that monitors auser's physical condition, such as heart rate and/or abnormal movementpatterns, the subject system, method and computer readable media providethe ability for an STB to warn the user when and if his or her physicalcondition is falling within or nearing a dangerous range. Smart wearabledevices, usually presented as watches, are presently capable ofmonitoring a wearer's or user's health statistics. For example providingECG/EKG (Electro-cardiogram), Blood Pressure, vital signs, abnormal bodymovement, diabetic sugar levels, and the like.

The present invention provides methods, systems, and computer readablemedia implemented through an STB operable to communicate with a healthmonitoring device to intelligently process and output an alert displayedthrough an EPG to a viewer of a movie/program/media content. Preferably,the subject method, system and computer readable media monitors vitalstatistics of a program viewer wearing a health monitoring device andautomatically alerts the viewer of a change in physical conditionthrough the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) output by the STB. A programviewer is alerted to changes in physiological data through the EPGoutput by the set-top-box (STB) to warn the viewer that his/her healthcondition falls within an unhealthy parameter. At which point, the STBmay be programmed to perform a plethora of functions, includinghighlighting the alert to the viewer on the display screen and pausingor stopping the streaming of the program, issuing an alert warningsound, and/or communicating with other devices in the home to notifyothers of the viewer's health risk condition. Advantageously, thesubject methods, systems, and computer readable media are generallyoperable with existing STBs without the need to add any additionalhardware cost to the system.

In a first aspect of the invention an apparatus for automaticallyhighlighting an unhealthy condition is provided. The apparatus comprisesa set-top-box operatively connected to a network and a televisiondisplay. The set-top-box is adapted to output a program to a viewerwatching the television display. The set-top-box operatively connectsthrough a wireless protocol to one or more wearable health monitoringdevices that monitor one or more health readings associated with theviewer. The set-top-box is operative to output an alert to the viewerduring the program if a health reading falls within a dangerous range.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method forautomatically highlighting an unhealthy condition. The set-top-box isconnected to a network and a television display. The set-top-box isadapted to output a program to a viewer watching the television display.The set-top-box is connected, through a wireless protocol, to one ormore wearable health monitoring devices that monitors one or more healthreadings associated with the viewer. The viewer is alerted during theprogram if a health reading falls within a dangerous range.

In another aspect of the invention one or more non-transitory computerreadable media having instructions operable to cause one or moreprocessors to perform the operations is provided. The readable mediacomprises: a) connecting a set-top-box to a network and a televisiondisplay, wherein the set-top-box is adapted to output a program to aviewer watching the television display; b) connecting the set-top-boxthrough a wireless protocol to one or more wearable health monitoringdevices that monitors one or more health readings associated with theviewer; and c) alerting the viewer during the program if a healthreading falls within a dangerous range.

The STB is connected with the smart wearable device via a communicationprotocol, such as Bluetooth or through a home network [Wi-Fi]. Bodyphysical sensors are typically embedded in smart wearable devices tomeasure a user's blood pressure, heart beats, abnormal movementpatterns, temperature etc. If the smart wearable device detects thatsome value is out of a configured threshold, for example the heart beatis too fast, an alert or notice will be transmitted to the STB andhighlighted through the electronic program guide (EPG) for attention.

An EPG is a television guide application used with digital set-top boxes(STBs) and newer television sets that lists scheduled and currentprograms that are or will be available on each channel with a shortsummary or commentary. It is noted that the subject invention is notlimited to digital STB/TV, but can also be applied to Internet Protocoltelevision (IPTV) STB, Over-the-top content (OTT) STB, and otherbroadcasting of audio, video, and other media transmission technologies,etc. Content is provided through the STB and wireless network Wi-Fienabled set-tops (STAs) communicable with Multiple System Operators(MSO(s)) providing multiple cable or direct-broadcast satellitetelevision programs. Content may be provided through IPTV STB, OTT STB,etc. by way of Internet protocol, such as content transmission throughservices associated with the trade names Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, etc.Typically, the EPG includes options to set parental controls, orderpay-per-view programming, search for programs based on theme orcategory, and set up to record programs. Through operation of thesubject system and method, the EPG further includes an option toactivate health monitoring. Alternatively, health monitoring can beset-up to automatically operate through the STB when the smart healthdevice is located or within range.

A smart wearable device worn by a user is connected with the STB via acommunication protocol. The Smart wearable device measures the user'sblood pressure, heart beats, temperature and the like to form a baselinehealth report with configured thresholds. If the smart wearable devicedetects that some value is out of one or more of the configuredthresholds, for example the heart beat is too fast, the app will noticethe STB. In turn, the STB will highlight the special program in the EPG.

Accordingly, the subject system and method provides a communicationplatform between one or more wearable devices wherein the wearabledevice transmits health data to the STB and the STB in turn highlightsunhealthy changes to the viewer watching a program. In general, thewearable device transmits physiological signal values to the STB. Acorresponding threshold is predefined by the STB based on the healthvalues. If the STB receives physiological signal values of the viewerthat are out of thresholds, the STB will take proactive action to alertthe viewer of his/her dangerous health condition. Preferably, the STB,through the EPG, highlights the risky health condition to the viewer onthe display screen, and, optionally, others who are within the home.Optionally, the STB may further be programmed to automaticallystop/pause the playing content/program when the viewer's physiologicalsignal values are out of thresholds, and turn on the lights if STB isconnected into a smart home system. Moreover, the STB can be programmedto set off an alarm to notice other family numbers, or call a predefinedemergency number if the viewer is in a critical threshold.

The subject system and method are directed toward an STB content basedalert to the viewer of the dangerous health condition. While numerousother devices simply monitor and report when the health indicatorsaren't like earlier measurements, they do not provide a direct linkbetween content being viewed, the health parameters, and alerting theviewer by way of highlighting the alert in the EPG, as well as otheralert mechanisms. The subject system and method may record measurementof the difference in health readings across a particular piece ofcontent. For example, while watching a movie, the STB program may recordthe subscriber's heart rate at a set time point (i.e. at the beginningof the program). If the STB receives data that the heart rate isshooting up too dramatically, compared to the beginning of the program(not compared to a personal baseline), then the alert mode is activatedand the viewer is notified of the dangerous health change. Thewarning/alert information can be transmitted to other DTVs or STBs inthe home to alert others/a caregiver of the viewer's risky healthcondition.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a system for STBhealthcare monitoring and automatically alerting a viewer of a change inphysical condition through an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) output bythe STB, shown generally at 10. A wearable device, shown generally at11, is worn by a user 12. The wearable device 11 may be a smart watch,smart bracelet, blood pressure monitor operable with an app, or othertype of wearable device that a user places on him/her person to collectdata related to health and is capable of transmitting the information toanother device.

In embodiments, the STB 14 may receive data and/or video services at asubscriber premise, and may output received multimedia content to adisplay device (e.g., TV 15). Content may be delivered to the STB 14over one or more channels through a provider network 21 (e.g., hybridfiber-coaxial network, fiber network, cellular network, high speed datanetwork, or the like). Content may be provided by a wide-area network(WAN) 22, and a head end device may format and package the content fordelivery over the provider network 21. For example, linear content(e.g., real-time content) associated with a channel may be delivered tothe STB 14 over a specific frequency and/or wavelength associated withthe channel. Besides the contents delivered over a specific frequencyand/or wavelength, other communication protocols for securecommunications over computer networks widely used on the Internet arecontemplated. Such as, but not limited to, Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP), etc., whereby content is generally delivered through theInternet with a specific URL, and no frequency or wavelength is needed.The wearable device 11 connects wirelessly to a STB 14 connected to TV15.

The STB 14 may consult a program map table (PMT) to identify specificcontent received as a multimedia stream, along with EIT including ratinginformation downloaded from one or more servers 23. For example, a tunerat the STB 14 may be tuned to a specific channel based upon a channelselection made at the STB 14 by user 12. The tuner may identify andprepare for processing multimedia content associated with an identifiedchannel. In embodiments, the STB 14 parses EIT (including ratinginformation) of the content. Preferably the STB's middleware i)downloads EPG information from the head end from the EIT data, ii)parses rating information stored in association with each program in theEIT and generates a modified EPG in a predetermined format that includesan indication that if the viewer selects a specific program, the healthmonitoring application will be/can be activated (See FIG. 3 for exampleof EPG).

Connection of the wearable device 11 may be through Blue tooth, Wi-Fiand/or other wireless protocols (e.g. NFC) or through a cellulardevice/cellular tablet as a mediator as shown generally at 25. Whereinthe wearable device 11 has Wi-Fi capabilities, the wearable device 11may directly connect to the STB 14 or may connect through the homegateway (GW), which in turn is connected to STBs a-n in the home.Alternatively, wherein the wearable device 11 has Blue toothcapabilities but the STB 14 does not, the wearable device 11 may connectthrough a wireless protocol, such as for example through cellular phone25, which in turn connects via Wi-Fi/a wireless protocol to the STB. Itis noted that wherein the STB does not have wireless connectioncapabilities, wireless connection is mediated through the home GW which,in turn, receives and process data from the wearable device 11 andtransmits the data to the STB.

As user 12 starts to watch TV 15, powering on STB 14, the user'swearable device 11 connects to the STB through a communication protocoleither directly or through the user's cellular device as a mediator, asdiscussed above. The system and method can be integrated into thesoftware of the STB so that it can communicate and operate with existingsmart home and/or smart wearable devices. Thus, it only entails softwareupgrade of the STB, without the need to upgrade hardware components.While typically existing gateways and access points in communicationwith STB devices include Wi-Fi capability, many standard IPTV HomeDevices (Gateways/Access points/IP STBs) do not include blue tooth.Therefore, if the smart wearable device operates through blue tooth (anddoes not have Wi-Fi compatibility) an upgrade hardware component may beadded to the IPTV Home Devices (Gateways/Access points/IP STBs) of theSTB, such as an adapter (Wi-Fi or blue tooth enabling adapter connectedthrough USB or HDMI port).

Alternatively, since many smart wearable devices operate through a cellphone 25 (via hot spot (cellular data), Wi-Fi, and/or blue tooth) as amediator, the IPTV Home Devices (Gateways/Access points/IP STBs) includeapp software downloadable onto the user's cell phone that is incommunication with the IPTV Home Devices (Gateways/Access points/IPSTBs) for communication of health indicators to the STB for alerting theuser. An App is provided for download onto the cell phone/smart phone 25or for download onto the smart wearable device itself, whichcommunicates with the Application software of the STB to monitor theuser's health through the communication platform. The app softwareprovides a common protocol for direct communication between the STB andthe wearable device. Wherein communication between the STB and thewearable device mediates through the cell phone, automaticmessage-passing without user intervention is preferred.

When the user 12 selects a program and begins watching it on a screen 16of TV 15 the communication between the user's wearable device 11 and theSTB 14 may be automatic, regardless of the program rating and/or withoutinitiation by the user 12. Alternatively, connection between thewearable device 11 and STB 14 may be initiated automatically when theprogram selected through the EPG falls within a PG rating or higher.Optionally, connection between the wearable device 11 and the STB 14 maybe initiated by the user by way of a prompt that appears on the screen16 of TV 15 when the user turns on the TV 15 and STB 14.

When the STB 14 is powered on it may immediately search for a nearbywearable device 11, and if in range, the STB 14 connects to the wearabledevice 11. Upon connection of the wearable device 11 and the STB 14, thewearable device 11 may transmit the health vital information of the user12. This health vital information may include, for example, bloodpressure and heart rate. The health information may include thresholdparameters already, and in which case the thresholds/parameters are alsotransmitted to the STB 14. If the health information does not includethresholds/parameters the STB 14 program may parse the information todetermine thresholds/parameters based on charts via height, weight, age,gender and resting heart rate (RHR) and elevated heart rate (HER); thiscan be determined based on input from the user as to age, weight, heightand gender, which may be downloaded from the wearable device 11, orprompted for entry on the screen 16 of the TV 15. Heart rate charts canbe programmed within the app in accordance, for example, with theNational Institute of Health, the average resting heart rate. Once theseparameters are entered and parsed based on typical non-moving heartrates for the user's specific age, weight, height and gender they areparsed against the user's 20 current heart rate or blood pressure. Oneor more thresholds are then set, which may be for example the currentheart rate as compared to a dangerous heart rate for the user based onage, weight height and gender. If the user's 20 heart rate or bloodpressure falls within the threshold, an alert is issued on the screen 16of TV 15.

Preferably, communication is implemented in software embedded in thesmart wearable device. In the software embedded in the smart wearabledevice, when some abnormal user's health status is detected, thesoftware is programmed to send out the predefined message (e.g. too highblood pressure, or heart disease) to the connected STB. Data of detectedhealth status is transferred from the wearable device to a predefinednumber. For example, 0x01 means high blood pressure; 0x02 means highheartbeat. The predefined number is sent out as a message containing thepredefined number to the STB. The STB parses the received message andthe health status number. It then takes corresponding actions configuredthrough the user interface (UI), including providing a health statushighlight message, or pausing the TV program, or other alert method.

As shown for representative example on screen 16, a horror TV program 17is being viewed by user 12. Upon transmission of health results outsideof the threshold or an increase of blood pressure within a given range,or wherein the STB received the predefined number indicating a dangeroushealth status, an alert 19 is shown on screen 16.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of the subjectmethod and system, shown generally at 200. As a user starts to watch TV,the user's wearable device connects to the STB through somecommunication protocols or through the user's cell phone if the wearabledevice can't connect to the STB directly, shown generally at 201 and202, respectively. The wearable device, such as a smart watch is worn bya user watching a program on a TV display screen (computer, Smartphone,tablet and/or other display screens) with digital, IPTV, OTT, etc.content delivered by way of one or more STBs through a gateway operableby an MSO. Wearable device communicates with one or more STBs withinrange through a software application (app) and communication protocol,including Wi-Fi, Blue Tooth, cell phone mediation, and/or other wirelessprotocols (e.g. near field communication (NFC)). Upon pairing with theSTB the wearable device transfers detected health status, or abnormalalert level values, defined by a predefined number entered through theapplication software of the STB communicated to the STB. For example,0x01 means high blood pressure, 0x02 means high heart beat.

At 203 the wearable device then reads each health abnormal alert levelvalue from the memory or from the connected STB and starts monitoringthe user's health status. Settings in the UI may be provided so that themonitoring is automatic when the STB and/or TV is powered on, oralternatively, the monitoring may be automatic when content selected isset at a rating of PG or higher (for example), or the user may beprompted to start the monitoring.

At 204 the wearable device monitors the user's health status. At 205 thewearable device/or under instruction from the STB queries “is somehealth status above the alert level?” If “No”, the wearable devicecontinuously monitors the user's health status and continuously runs thequery. If “Yes”, at 206 the wearable device/the STB program checks thehealths abnormal type (e.g. blood pressure, heartbeat, or otherphysiological data). At 207 a message containing the health abnormaltype number is packaged, and at 208 sent to the connected STB.

At 209 the STB extracts the received message and also finds the healthabnormal type number. The STB reads the configurations stored in thememory, at 210. The configuration defines the actions corresponding todifferent health abnormal type numbers.

At 211 the STB selects at least one operation/action (e.g. pausing TVand displaying alert message) related with the health abnormal typenumber extracted from the packaged message from the wearable device. Theoperation/action may be configured through the UI.

At 212 the STB executes the selected operation(s).

At 213 the STB issues an alert, for example pauses TV program and/orhighlights health condition or alert message on the TV screen.Additionally, the STB may communicate with other STBs in the home toalert a caregiver in the home of the alert, and/or may interface with IPprotocols to call one or more mobile devices of caregivers and/or anemergency number (i.e. 911). Health status may be presented as ahighlighted message on the TV display screen, presented as a banner, oras an alert sound, pausing or stopping the TV program, alerting anotherdevice in the home system, in combination and/or other alert mechanism.An alert can be sent to one or more other devices in the home system.For example, an alert may be sent to other STB units to display thealert on TV screens in another room in a home to alert a family memberor caregiver of the abnormal health condition.

In connection with the provision for monitoring of heart conditions, itis also contemplated that the subject systems and methods can providefor monitoring if someone is about to have a seizure. For example, someflashing programs or even video games can cause some people to haveseizures. Some smart wearable devices (i.e. those sold under theTrademarks Smart Watch, Smart Monitor) monitor the onset of abnormalmovement patterns similar to those caused by generalized tonic-clonic(GTC) seizures. The abnormal movement patterns can be assigned anabnormal alert level value to notify the STB, and thus the user and/orcaregiver, that the user is dangerously close to having a seizure if theuser continues with the stimuli—viewing the TV program, and/or playingthe video game.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of the subjectmethod and system, shown generally at 300. A wearable health monitoringdevice 301 is connected with an STB 302 via a communication protocol[Wi-Fi; Blue Tooth; cell phone mediator]. The wearable device measuresat least one physiological data stat of a user, such as for non-limitingexample, blood pressure, heart beat, temperature or the like. The user'swearable device is uploaded with the user's health information and aninitial set-up baseline health measurement for the user is recorded at303. Monitoring of the user's health continues throughout the program,as shown at 304. If there is a change falling outside one or morephysiological thresholds or predetermined values, as shown at 305, thewearable health device 301 sends the alert information to the STB 302.STB 302 outputs the alert on the display device 306 as an alert [pause;stop; alarm; banner]/highlight based on UI selections, at 307.

If the wearable device 301 does not have capability to set the initialbaseline, and/or set thresholds or predetermined values and parse sameagainst one another to determine that an alert must be issued, thesefunctions can be programmed within the STB platform, as indicatedgenerally at 310. In so doing, the STB program can include healthguidelines. For example, UI entry for user X is age 65; the initialbaseline for user X heartbeat recorded from the health device 301 is 130at time y at the beginning of a horror program; the initial baseline istransmitted to the STB and recorded. At time y+30 minutes during thehorror program, the wearable device transmits a heartbeat of 180. TheSTB parses the heart beat of 180 as against standards for 65 year oldsand based on medical guidelines of Max Heart Rates. Max Heart Rates, forexample, for 65 years olds generally provide a max threshold of 155beats per minute. Because the heartbeat of 180 falls beyond thethreshold, the STB 302 issues the alert output onto the display device306. The STB may be programmed to include a notice to the user that theuser's heart beat is approaching threshold levels. For example, if theuser's heart beat is recorded as 151 beats per minute, the STB may issuea notice that the user is approaching threshold levels and the usershould take a break. Each user's information—age, gender, height,weight, etc. can be entered upon set-up via the UI on the STB, as wellas entry of alert options.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating a representative EPG opened on ascreen implementing an embodiment of the subject system and methodintegrating TV and/or movie film ratings, shown generally at 400. ATV410 displays a downloaded EPG displayed on a screen 431 to a user. Aset-top box (STB) 405 receives data and/or video services and outputsthe received multimedia content to the TV 410 and visa via displayscreen 431. Content may be delivered to the STB 405 over one or morechannels through a provider network 415 (e.g., hybrid fiber-coaxialnetwork, fiber network, cellular network, high speed data network,etc.). Content may be provided by a wide-area network (WAN) 420, and ahead end device may format and package the content for delivery over theprovider network 415. For example, linear content (e.g., real-timecontent) associated with a channel may be delivered to the STB 405 overa specific frequency and/or wavelength associated with the channel.Other communication protocols for secure communications over computernetworks widely used on the Internet arc also contemplated. Such as, butnot limited to, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), etc., wherebycontent is generally delivered through the Internet with a specific URL,and no frequency or wavelength is needed. The STB 405 may be a one-waySTB configured to receive communications from the provider network 415but without the ability to transmit upstream communications through theprovider network 415.

In an alternative embodiment, programs are highlighted in the EPG screenif the wearable device detects an abnormal condition. In this manner,the ratings, etc. for each program may/or may not be utilized. Instead,the health condition based on the wearable device causes the alert orhighlight on next to the listed programs on the EPG screen. Whenselecting a program through EPG (e.g. even not start playing),preferably programs (which may cause the viewers uncomfortable ordangerous) in EPG are highlighted if the wearable device detectsabnormal condition.

Continuing with FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the STB consults a programmap table (PMT) to identify specific content received as a multimediastream, along with EIT including rating information downloaded from oneor more servers 425. The STB's middleware i) downloads EPG informationfrom the head end from the EIT data which includes rating information(such as Mature, Adults only, PG, PG-13, and the like), ii) parsesrating information stored in association with each program in the EITand generates a modified EPG in a predetermined format that includes anindication that if the viewer selects a specific program, the healthmonitoring application will be/can be activated.

Rating systems, for non-limiting example, include those set by theMotion Picture Association of America (MPAA) which provides a filmrating system used in the United States and its territories to rate afilm's suitability for certain audiences based on content. It isgenerally a voluntary rating system that is not enforced by law; filmscan be exhibited without a rating, although many theaters refuse toexhibit non-rated or NC-17 rated films. Other media, such as televisionprograms and video games, are rated by the Entertainment Software RatingBoard (ESRB), for example, and the TV Parental Guidelines. Typically,rating is assigned based on age and content (violence; nudity; etc.),for TV programs, computer and video games in the United States, Canada,and Mexico. Other rating systems are contemplated from other countriesand territories and still would operate within the subject system andmethod.

Wherein a rating is provided, the subject system and method mayautomatically initiate the health monitoring application, or as set-upin the UI. For example, if a MPAA rating applies, the system mayautomatically be enabled when the rating is a PG or greater, or may beset by the UL If an ESRB rating or the like applies, then the system mayautomatically be enabled when the rating is a rating pending (RP),mature (M), adult only (A), TV-MA—or other rating that indicatesviolence and/or nudity.

The STB 405 may store EIT including ratings information content foroutput to the display device TV 410. EIT content may include title,content descriptors, start times, end time and other types of multimediaincluding ratings information. Ratings information may be parsed fromthe EIT to be displayed in an EPG 430 next to the content listing asviewable in a blow-up of the display screen 431. Where the programcontent is not rated with violence/nudity, such as at 432, no rating maybe shown. However, where program content, Poltergeist shown at 433, israted with violence/nudity—such as rated PG-13—the rating is indicatedat 434 with a health monitor indicator 435, which indicates to the userthat health monitoring will be automatically activated (unless otherwisespecified by way of the UI) if the program 433 is selected for viewing.

FIG. 5 is an architecture diagram of elements of a STB operable with thesubject invention, shown generally at 500. STB 501 is shown as a sourcedevice or apparatus for implementation of the subject invention. The STB501 includes hardware generally configured with a module including aCPU/processor 510, a memory 520, a storage device 530, and aninput/output device 540. Interface user application layer, middleware550, is illustrated for functional purposes to aid in understanding theinvention. Each of the components 510, 550, 520, 530, and 540 can, forexample, be interconnected using a system bus. The processor 510 can becapable of processing instructions for execution of the subject method,system and computer readable media within the hardware configuration500. STB 501 includes network connection to a service provider 506. STB501 is connected through a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)507 to a display device, herein a television. Besides HDMI, other waysto connect the STBs with display devices are contemplate, such asdisplay ports, wireless connection, etc.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration operable tofacilitate the initiation of the subject method, shown generally at 600.The hardware configuration can include a processor 610, a memory 620, astorage device 630, decoder 650 and an input/output device 640. Each ofthe components 610, 620, 630, 650 and 640 can, for example, beinterconnected using a system bus 670. The processor 610 can be capableof processing instructions for execution of the subject method, systemand computer readable media within the hardware configuration 600. Inone implementation, the processor 610 can be a single-threadedprocessor. In another implementation, the processor 610 can be amulti-threaded processor. The processor 610 can be capable of processinginstructions stored in the memory 620 or on the storage device 630. Thememory 620 can store information within the hardware configuration 600.In one implementation, the memory 620 can be a computer-readable medium.In one implementation, the memory 620 can be a volatile memory unit. Inanother implementation, the memory 620 can be a non-volatile memoryunit. In some implementations, the storage device 630 can be capable ofproviding mass storage for the hardware configuration 600. In oneimplementation, the storage device 630 can be a computer-readablemedium. In various different implementations, the storage device 630can, for example, include a hard disk device, an optical disk device,flash memory or some other large capacity storage device. In otherimplementations, the storage device 630 can be a device external to thehardware configuration 600. The input/output device 640 providesinput/output operations for the hardware configuration 600. In oneimplementation, the input/output device 640 can include one or more of anetwork interface device (e.g., an Ethernet card), a serialcommunication device (e.g., an RS-232 port), one or more universalserial bus (USB) interfaces (e.g., a USB 2.0 port), one or more wirelessinterface devices (e.g., an 802.11 card), and/or one or more interfacesfor outputting video and/or data services to a CPE device (e.g., accesspoint, cable modem, router, wireless extender, or other access device)or subscriber device (e.g., STB, etc.). In another implementation, theinput/output device can include driver devices configured to sendcommunications to, and receive communications from one or more networks(e.g., WAN, local network, cloud, headend/cloud controller, etc.).

The subject matter of this disclosure, and components thereof, can berealized by software instructions that upon execution cause one or moreprocessing devices to carry out the processes and functions describedabove. Such instructions can, for example, comprise interpretedinstructions, such as script instructions, e.g., JavaScript orECMAScript instructions, or executable code, SoftAp mode pulse timingactivation and deactivation instructions, signal strength activation anddeactivation software, initial fingerprint (birth certificate)algorithmic and execution instructions, activation signals or software,or other instructions stored in a computer readable medium.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this specification can be provided in digital/IP electroniccircuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including thestructures disclosed in this specification and their structuralequivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments ofthe subject matter described in this specification can be implemented asone or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules ofcomputer program instructions encoded on a tangible program carrier forexecution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unitsuitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does notnecessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can bestored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g.,one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a singlefile dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinatedfiles (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, orportions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed onone computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site ordistributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communicationnetwork.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification areperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output thereby tying the process to a particular machine(e.g., a machine programmed to perform the processes described herein).The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatuscan also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., anFPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit).

Computer readable media suitable for storing computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, mediaand memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices); magnetic disks(e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks); magneto optical disks;and CD ROM and DVD ROM disks. The processor and the memory can besupplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anyinvention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures that may be specific to particular embodiments of particularinventions. Certain features that are described in this specification inthe context of separate embodiments can also be implemented incombination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order unlessotherwise noted, or that all illustrated operations be performed, toachieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking andparallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation ofvarious system components in the embodiments described above should notbe understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and itshould be understood that the described program components and systemscan generally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in thisspecification have been described. Other embodiments are within thescope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in theclaims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirableresults, unless expressly noted otherwise. As one example, the processesdepicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In some implementations, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will beunderstood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but thatadditional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to oneskilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention asdefined by the subjoined claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus for automatically highlighting anunhealthy condition, comprising: a device operatively connected to anetwork and a display, wherein the device is adapted to output a programto a viewer watching the display; the device being operatively connectedthrough a wireless protocol to one or more wearable health monitoringdevices; the device being operative to monitor a health status of theviewer during the program if a health reading falls within a dangerousrange; and the device operative to generate a health monitor indicatorin a program listing in an electronic program guide (EPG) based ondetermining an abnormal condition from the monitored health status. 22.The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the alert is delivered through theEPG.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the program is associatedwith a rating system wherein at least one rating indicates that theprogram includes content that may excite viewers, and the device'sconnectivity to the wearable health monitoring device is automatic. 24.The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the alert comprises stopping theprogram.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the alert comprises nhighlight on the display during the program.
 26. The apparatus of claim24, wherein the device transmits the alert to one or more other devices.27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the alert comprises a highlighton the display during the program.
 28. A method for automaticallyhighlighting an unhealthy condition comprising: connecting a device to anetwork and a display, wherein the device is adapted to output a programto a viewer watching the display; connecting the device through awireless protocol to one or more wearable health monitoring devices;monitoring, by the device, a health status of the viewer during theprogram if a health reading falls within a dangerous range; andgenerating, by the device, a health monitor indicator in a programlisting in an electronic program guide (EPG) based on determining anabnormal condition from the monitored health status.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the alert is delivered through the EPG.
 30. The methodof claim 28, wherein the program is associated with a rating systemwherein at least one rating indicates that the program includes contentthat may excite viewers, and the device's connectivity to the wearablehealth monitoring device is automatic.
 31. The method of claim 28,wherein the alert comprises stopping the program.
 32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the alert comprises a highlight on the display duringthe program.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the device transmitsthe alert to one or more other devices.
 34. The method of claim 28,wherein the alert comprises a highlight on the display during theprogram.
 35. One or more non-transitory computer readable media havinginstructions operable to cause one or more processors to perform theoperations comprising: connecting a device to a network and a display,wherein the device is adapted to output a program to a viewer watchingthe display; connecting the device through a wireless protocol to one ormore wearable health monitoring devices that monitor one or more healthreadings associated with the viewer; monitoring, by the device, a healthstatus of the viewer during the program if a health reading falls withina dangerous range; and generating, by the device, a health monitorindicator in a program listing in an electronic program guide (EPG)based on determining an abnormal condition from the monitored healthstatus.
 36. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35,wherein the alert is delivered through the EPG.
 37. The non-transitorycomputer readable media of claim 35, wherein the program is associatedwith a rating system wherein at least one rating indicates that theprogram includes content that may excite viewers, and the device'sconnectivity to the wearable health monitoring device is automatic. 38.The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 35, wherein thealert comprises stopping the program.
 39. The non-transitory computerreadable media of claim 38, wherein the device transmits the alert toon˜ or more other devices.
 40. The non-transitory computer readablemedia of claim 35, wherein the alert comprises a highlight on thedisplay during the program.